Escape Guide // Nashville, TN Bucket List 72 hours in Nashville

There are no two ways about it. Nashville, Nashvegas, The Music City is booming. And while some cities are fighting to stay weird, Nashville has done a great job absorbing all the influences of it’s modern transplants.

With a reputation for vibrant nightlife, amazing restaurants, and some of the best live music in the country, we’d strongly recommend moving Nashville to the top of your next escape list.

Put 'Em Back

12 South Tap Room & Grill2318 12th Ave S

Nashville, TN 37204

This is by far our favorite spot in 12 South (the neighborhood about 10 minutes south of Midtown). With over 30 taps, better-than-brewpub food, and oysters at happy hour. What’s not to love? Plus, it’s a distinctly more subdued crowd than broadway. A daytime jaunt out to 12 South calls for Happy Hour at 12 South Tap Room.

Winners Bar & Grill / Losers Bar

1913 Division Street & 1911 Division StreetNashville, TN 37203

These bars sit side by side and play well with one another. We like Losers Bar; the hip dive bar epitome. Mostly locals, skewing college age, packed at night, sleepy off hours. Live musicians crammed in the corner. There’s a patio for air and food that’s edible, at least if you’re as drunk as everyone else.

Robert's Western World

416 Broadway

Nashville, TN 37203

The sign says, “Welcome to Hillbilly Heaven.” What more do you need? They've got country, folk, bluegrass, rockabilly, and every weekend their own brew, Brazilbilly, which you won’t see anywhere else. It’s magic when served with the house signature fried bologna. Even if it’s not your scene you gotta go to see a “Honkytonk” filled with suburban bridesmaids.

Good Eats

Tavern

1904 BroadwayNashville, TN 37203

One word: Brunch. Three words: “White Trash Hash.” It’s a side and it needs to get into your belly immediately’. Order it. Oh, and get there early because this place gets packed solid by 11:15.

The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden

731 Mcferrin AveNashville, TN 37206

Prescription-strength beers and burgers made from local cow. Try the farm burger, one of the German brews, or the old-timey phosphates from the fountain. Kick back in the garden with swarms of Nashvillians (and sometimes swarms of flies).

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

112 19th Ave SNashville, TN 37203

Hot damn—hot chicken. Hot chicken it’s a Nashville thing, sorta like the cheesesteak in Philly, but way more brutal on your GI tract. If you’re a virgin they’ll explain the spice options. We suggest you listen.

Five Points Pizza

1012 Woodland StNashville, TN 37206

Pizza brings us together and brings us to blows—give a slice to four fanatics and you’ll get five opinions. But here there’s nothing but love. Five Points’ NYC-style crust and artisanal prosciutto make no enemies, and the friendly service is like parm on the pie.

Get Your Fix

Barista Parlor

519 Gallatin AveNashville, TN 37206

The Parlor’s built for awesomeness, not for speed. You will wait for Nashville’s finest cup a joe. Maybe an espresso pulled with hipsterly finesse by a barista too cool to look you in the eye, or maybe a Japanese cold brew (Try it. Seriously). The coffee’s worth the wait. The food’s worth avoiding.

Weld

90 Oceanside DrNashville, TN 37204

If you’re planning to put a full day’s work in, bite the bullet and take a Uber out to Weld. This coworking space is a creative’s dream. Photo rooms, podcasting booths, and a staff trained in precision, almost laboratory-like, coffee making.

Good Times

East Nashville // 5 Points

Welcome to Nashville’s Brooklyn. Ask your Uber to take you to 5 Points Pizza and you’ll be in the center of a “can’t miss” neighborhood of quirky restaurants, bars, and shops.

Broadway

Broadway Nashville reminds us of the child of Bourbon Street, NOLA and Times Square, NYC. With bright neon lights and live music pouring out into the streets, Broadway is four lanes of foot-stompin’ fun. Expect to see 20+ bachelorette parties each night.

Midtown

Nestled into the North East corner of the Vanderbilt campus, Midtown will tend to have a more “collegy” vibe. But let’s be honest, college vibes are great. There are two main drags in midtown, just north and south of Music Square we say to tell your Uber to take you to Losers Bar.

Fill Your Bag

Nisolo

1803 9th Ave NNashville, TN 37208

Saving the world, one handmade shoe at a time. Nisolo connects Peruvian artisans with Nashville, putting food on South American tables and seriously stylish kicks on your feet.

Imogene and Willie

2601 12th Ave SNashville, TN 37204

Hardcore high-end blue-jeanerie for the bespoke hipster. Small selections of other fashions, handmade knickknacks, and vintage one-offs. Serious quality and prices.

Or grab some tchotchkes on Broadway.

Hang Your Hat

Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel

623 Union StNashville, TN 37219

A lovely and newly renovated hotel minutes on food from the debauchery of Broadway. If you’re a hotel type. This works.

AirBnB

You want to set up home base in either East Nashville / 5 Points or near Midtown. It makes broadway a destination, which is a good thing. P.S. how badass is the #1 AirBnB in Nashville?